Birmingham 20/21st December 2016 Dave Rose
I needed to spend some time in Birmingham
on business, so took the opportunity to look at the current
spotting opportunities.
In recent years the airport has become a
major UK hub, with substantial bases for FlyBe, Monarch and more
recently, Ryanair. Interesting movements are provided by Air
India 788’s, Turkmenistan 757’s, Qatar 788’s and Emirates
A388’s. In fact, the variety is very good, with a healthy amount
of Biz and Corporate movements along with interesting Freight
visitors usually linked to the local automotive parts factories.
Marshall’s have opened an FBO, this Glex was lurking round the
back
HERE , taken from the hotel room.
Along with a runway extension and new
control tower, a Travelodge has sprung up next to the Elmdon
(west) side of the airport, so I decided to give it a whirl.
Before checking in I spent some time on the roof of the MSCP
that overlooks the Elmdon aprons. Shots have improved from here
since the demolition of the FlyBe hangars
HERE and runway
shots are OK especially on 15 as the aircraft have just lifted.
So, the Travelodge. At £50 its good value
and on checking in I asked for a top floor (6th)
overlooking the airport, preferably closest to the runway. I was
given 631 which is the end room, and perfect. Here is a
selection of shots taken from the room.
HERE
HERE
HERE Shots are better when 15 is in use, as you
have more time, arriving
HERE
HERE and departing
HERE
HERE if 31is in use then you will need to keep on your
toes as aircraft will appear behind the control tower. Shots
will be best in the afternoon, due to the sun. The hotel has a
bar and restaurant, so is basically ideal for spotting and
shots.
Birmingham is well worth a visit, spotting
is civilised and has a good variety.
Here is a log from 1pm till dark, and the
following morning
| D-ANJA | Airbus Industrie A321211 | 2927 | For Air Busan |
| G-DHLH | Boeing 7673JHF | 37808 | DHL Worldwide Courier Express |
| SE-MAN | British Aerospace ATPF | 2006 | West Atlantic |
| SE-MHE | British Aerospace ATPF | 2012 | West Atlantic |
| A6-EOP | Airbus A380861 | 200 | Emirates Airlines |
| A7-BCP | Boeing 7878 | 38334 | Qatar Airways |
| AP-BMG | Boeing 7772Q8ER | 32716 | Pakistan International Airlines |
| D-AEBP | Embraer Emb-195200LR | 19000553 | Lufthansa Regional |
| D-AEWC | Airbus A320214(SL) | 7012 | Eurowings |
| D-AIUP | Airbus A320214(SL) | 6807 | Lufthansa |
| D-AIZD | Airbus A320214 | 4191 | Lufthansa |
| D-AIZW | Airbus A320214(SL) | 5694 | Lufthansa |
| D-CAAM | Dornier Do.228212 | 8205 | Arcus-Air-Logistic |
| D-CRAS | Short SD-360300 | SH3744 | Nightexpress |
| D-IVER | de Havilland Canada DHC-6300 | 411 | Corporate |
| EC-GPS | Swearingen SA.227ACMetro III | AC-722 | Flightline (BCN) |
| EC-LVO | Airbus A320214(SL) | 5533 | Vueling Airlines |
| EC-LZN | Airbus A320214(SL) | 5925 | Vueling Airlines |
| EC-MBL | Airbus A320216 | 3833 | Vueling Airlines |
| EI-EPG | Boeing 7378AS | 34985 | Ryanair |
| EI-EZW | Airbus A320214 | 1983 | Aer Lingus |
| EI-FMJ | Aerospatiale ATR 72600 | 1295 | Aer Lingus Regional |
| EI-FOG | Boeing 7378AS | 44711 | Ryanair |
| EI-FOP | Boeing 7378AS | 44723 | Ryanair |
| EI-FRD | Boeing 7378AS | 44738 | Ryanair |
| EI-FRE | Boeing 7378AS | 62691 | Ryanair |
| EI-FRW | Boeing 7378AS | 44748 | Ryanair |
| EI-REM | Aerospatiale ATR 72212A | 760 | Flybe |
| EZ-A014 | Boeing 75722K | 30863 | Turkmenistan Airlines |
| F-GKXP | Airbus A320214 | 3470 | Air France |
| F-HEPG | Airbus A320214(SL) | 5802 | Air France |
| G-FBJD | Embraer Emb-175200LR | 17000329 | Flybe |
| G-FBJE | Embraer Emb-175200LR | 17000336 | Flybe |
| G-FBJH | Embraer Emb-175200LR | 17000351 | Flybe |
| G-FBJI | Embraer Emb-175200LR | 17000355 | Flybe |
| G-FBJJ | Embraer Emb-175200LR | 17000358 | Flybe |
| G-FBJK | Embraer Emb-175200LR | 17000359 | Flybe |
| G-ITSU | Embraer EMB-500 | 50000185 | Flairjet |
| G-NIAA | Beech B200 | BB-897 | Woodgate Aviation |
| G-SASC | Beech B200C | BL-150 | Gama Aviation |
| HA-LPT | Airbus A320232 | 3807 | Wizz Air |
| HA-LXG | Airbus A321231(SL) | 7182 | Wizz Air |
| HB-ALM | Aerospatiale ATR 72202 | 396 | Zimex Aviation |
| M-GDRS | Hawker-Siddeley 125850XP | 258600 | Corporate |
| N923FD | Boeing 757204(SF) | 26266 | Federal Express |
| OY-KAR | Airbus A320232 | 3159 | SAS Scandinavian Airlines |
| TC-JSI | Airbus A321231(SL) | 5584 | THY Turkish Airlines |
| VT-ANN | Boeing 7878 | 36285 | Air India |
BHX 21/12
| A6-ENK | Boeing 77731HER | 38991 | Emirates Airlines |
| A7-BCG | Boeing 7878 | 38325 | Qatar Airways |
| D-AIUC | Airbus A320214(SL) | 6006 | Lufthansa |
| D-AIZT | Airbus A320214(SL) | 5601 | Eurowings |
| D-CEXP | Learjet 35A | 35-616 | Air Alliance Express |
| EC-GQA | Embraer Emb-120F | 120027 | Swiftair |
| EI-FON | Boeing 7378AS | 44721 | Ryanair |
| F-GKXZ | Airbus A320214 | 4137 | Air France |
| G-TUIA | Boeing 7878 | 34422 | Thomson Airways |
| N175AN | Boeing 757223 | 32394 | American Airlines |
EMA 21/12
| D-AEAR | Airbus A300B4-622R | 730 | DHL Worldwide Courier Express |
| EI-FTE | Boeing 7378AS | 44755 | Ryanair |